Enab Baladi – Wasim al-Adawi
In the initial months following the fall of the previous regime, confusion prevailed among the supervisors and workers of charitable organizations due to the freezing of their financial accounts. This led to a reduction in the assistance provided to those in need—whether food, medical, or financial—and the dismissal of employees in some associations as a result of halted funding or scaled-down activities.
Preserving the Funds
Rola al-Aghbar, Director of the Directorate of Non-Governmental Organizations at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in Syria, told Enab Baladi that the new government took it upon itself, from the very first hours after the liberation, to protect both private and public properties. Therefore, it was necessary to freeze the bank accounts of associations and institutions “in order to preserve their funds and to prevent unscrupulous individuals from withdrawing or spending the money unlawfully.”
The Law of Associations and Private Institutions in Syria, Law No. 93 of 1958 and its amendments, outlines the regulations regarding the establishment and operation of these associations and institutions, including those of public benefit, as well as the mechanisms for opening and freezing bank accounts—by a justified decision from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.
Al-Aghbar added that “the freezing of bank accounts did not only affect NGOs but also included licensed companies under various Syrian ministries.” These companies fall under the Syrian Companies Law and are regulated by the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection (which has now become a department within the Ministry of Economy and Industry), and include types such as general partnerships, limited partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies, and joint stock companies.
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, Maysa Sabreen, had issued a decision in January of this year to freeze all bank accounts belonging to companies and individuals affiliated with the previous regime, according to what was reported by Sky News Arabia at the time.
According to Al-Aghbar, a total of 413 NGOs (associations or institutions) have submitted requests to unfreeze their accounts. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor has subsequently sent letters of mediation to the Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, requesting the reactivation of these organizations’ accounts.
Al-Aghbar confirmed that the Ministry was keen to ensure that no NGO operations were halted, and that these organizations regained access to their funds since the early days of Syria’s liberation.
Regarding the process of unfreezing bank accounts for charitable organizations and civil society groups, Al-Aghbar explained: “To reactivate a frozen account, the NGO must submit a request accompanied by the names of the individuals authorized to operate the account, along with a breakdown of their roles. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor then contacts the Central Bank Governor to authorize the reactivation.”
Central Bank: Frozen Funds Are Confidential
The Central Bank of Syria declined to answer questions submitted by Enab Baladi regarding the number of NGOs and associations whose accounts had been frozen, the reasons behind the freezes, the total amounts in these accounts, and the specific requirements for resolving their legal status and unlocking their funds.
The Bank refused to disclose this information, asserting that “these details are protected by banking confidentiality.”
However, Rola al-Aghbar, Director of the Directorate of NGOs at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, noted that 69 NGOs had submitted requests to raise their withdrawal limits. The Ministry sent mediation letters to the Ministry of Finance requesting increased withdrawal ceilings for these organizations.
As for the choice to freeze the accounts of charitable organizations rather than dissolve them or revoke their licenses in cases of misconduct, Al-Aghbar clarified that “revoking the license of an NGO is unrelated to the freezing of its accounts.” She emphasized that the dissolution of NGOs is subject to the provisions of Law No. 93 of 1958 governing such entities.
According to this law, an association may be dissolved by a justified decision from the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor under any of the following circumstances:
- The association deviates from its stated objectives.
- Its board of directors fails to meet for six months or its general assembly fails to meet for two consecutive years.
- The association engages in sectarian, racist, or political activities that threaten state security.
- The association engages in activities that violate public morality or ethics.
- The association repeats violations despite receiving warnings from the ministry.
- The association is unable to fulfill its goals, meet its obligations, or allocates its funds for purposes other than those for which it was established.
Simplifying Licensing Procedures
Al-Aghbar stated that the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor “is the main supporter of the civil sector, playing a key role in strengthening the capacities of NGOs and providing all necessary facilities that enable them to fulfill their roles and achieve their goals.”
She added that the Ministry has “simplified a number of procedures related to licensing NGOs and increased the main sectors in which NGOs are permitted to operate.”
According to Enab Baladi’s information, several civil society organizations that previously operated outside Syria have begun to obtain temporary licenses from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor. These licenses are valid for six months, during which the organizations must complete all required paperwork and licensing conditions.